Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 13:1-14:4; Psalms 47:1-48:14; Acts 7:1-29

And he charged them that they should tell no man; but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it. Mark 7:36

Jesus was no sensationalist and did not want news of His miracles to become the talking point of the community. Why did He instruct people to keep quiet? Because it is His message that brings eternal salvation and not the signs He did. Yet the people disobeyed and the more He charged them not to speak, the more they spread the news. Today we are instructed not to keep silent, but to proclaim the Gospel far and wide. Yet so many Christians are silent, keeping their faith under wraps. May God help us to publish the news. —Paul Young

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take: the clouds ye so much dread,
Are big with mercy and shall break, in blessing on your head.—W. Cowper

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 12:21-51; Psalm 45:1-46:11; Acts 6:1-15

Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2 Thessalonians 2:10

The pride of man would rather win an argument than really know the truth of the matter. If words can be twisted and opponents silenced, we think we can walk smugly away from accountability to God. But there’s a day coming when every unbeliever will stand before God’s judgment throne. And in the majesty of His omniscience, every mouth will be stopped, and there will be no excuse. Salvation is a moral decision, not an intellectual one. —Rick Morse

Eternity! O dreadful thought! For thee, a child of Adam’s race;
If thou shoudst in thy sins be brought, To stand before the awful face. —William B. Bradbury

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 11:1-12:20; Psalm 44:1-26; Acts 5:12-42

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6

Physically, we’re quick to satisfy our hunger and thirst. Can the same be said spiritually? Do we treasure the Word of God more than our necessary food (Job 23:12)? Are we seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33)? Are we setting our affections on things above (Col. 3:2)? Are we confessing sin in our lives and being cleansed from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)? Are we daily digesting His words (Jer. 15:16)? How we answer these questions is a good indication of whether we’re truly hungering and thirsting after righteousness. —E. V.

Within the sacred page I seek thee Lord,
My spirit pants for Thee, O living Word. —Mary A. Lathbury

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 10:1-29; Psalms 42:1-43:5; Acts 4:32-5:11

There came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? 1 Kings 19:13

Elijah saw the Lord work a mighty victory on Carmel but ran for his life when wicked Jezebel threatened to kill him. He prayed for death but was fed by an angel and went in the strength of that for forty days till he came to Horeb. Here he heard the still small voice. “What are you doing here, Elijah?” God did not say “there” but “here” for He was with him even in those harshest of times. Are you experiencing difficult times? Remember the Lord is with you today. —Janet Fleming

So today as God’s own child, I can trust His keeping,
For I’m safe beneath His wings, when awake or sleeping.
I have everything I need, since my Saviour found me—
Shelter, comfort, peace and love, with His arms around me. —J. Fleming

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 9:1-35; Psalm 40:1-41:13; Acts 4:1-31

Who is worthy?…No man was found worthy…Thou art worthy… Worthy is the Lamb that was slain. Revelation 5:2, 4, 9, 12

“Worthy” is clearly a key word in this passage. A great question is asked,”Who is worthy?” The answer—no one. Upon finding no man worthy, John wept. It is the only case on record of anyone weeping in Heaven! He was told, “Weep not” (Rev. 5:5). All heaven knows and now by God’s grace so do we: the Lamb of God is the only worthy One. All heaven adores Him, and we who believe join in here below. Soon every knee will bow to Him, but our joy now is to proclaim, “Thou art worthy…for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood” (Rev. 5:9). —Carl Knott

Jesus, our Lord, with what joy we adore Thee,
Chanting our praise to Thyself on the throne! —H. d’A Champney

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 8:1-32; Psalms 38:1-39:13; Acts 3:1-26

But He answered and said…Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition…in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matt. 15:3, 9

As Martin Luther meditated on God’s Word he realized that a lot of what he had been teaching were the traditions of men and not what the Bible said. When at the Diet of Worms he was called upon to recant, he said, “I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God.” May God deliver us from misleading His people with our traditions instead of feeding them the true and accurate written Word of God. —David Croudace

O teach me, Lord, that I may teach, the precious things Thou dost impart,
And wing my words, that they may reach the hidden depths of many a heart. —Frances Ridley Havergal

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 6:14-7:25; Psalm 37:1-40; Acts 2:22-47

It is not [fitting] to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. Matthew 15:26

A Canaanite mother approached Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter. He declined. His priority was the lost sheep of Israel. He replied that it was not fitting to take the children’s bread and to cast it to dogs (Gentiles). But she appealed humbly saying that even the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master’s table. The Lord accepted her humble faith and healed her daughter. Today the Gentile Chinese celebrate their New Year of the Dog. We all are “dogs” loved by our Lord. Come to Him for blessing today. —K. C. Ung

A weary, heavy laden sinner comes,
To plead Thy promise and obey Thy call. —E. H. Bickersteth

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 5:1-6:13; Psalms 35:1-36:12; Acts 2:1-21

Has His mercy ceased forever? Has His promise failed forevermore? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Psalm 77:8-9, NKJV

How often in the midst of trying circumstances do we think that God has forgotten us? When assailed with such doubts, we need to refresh ourselves in His Word. “The Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy” (Num. 14:18). “His mercy endureth for ever” (Ps. 136:1). “According to his mercy he saved us” (Titus 3:5). In the darkest of times we can recall that He has promised, “I will not fail thee, neither forsake thee” (Deut. 31:8). —Ken Gunnell

Father of mercies, in Thy Word,
What endless glory shines!
Forever be Thy Name adored,
For these celestial lines. —Anne Steele

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 4:1-31; Psalm 34:1-22; Acts 1:1-26

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Here, our Lord is declaring that the zenith of human love is reached when one person voluntarily lays down his life for his dear friend. We are deeply stirred when we read historical accounts of such sacrifices, but we must never forget that divine love is unique in both quality and quantity. The amazing contrast between the two is that God’s love embraced us, not when we were His friends, but when we were His enemies! Thus, as always, the divine transcends the human. —George Hall

No man of greater love can boast, than for his friend to die;
Thou for Thine enemies wast slain! What love with Thine can vie? —Joseph Stennett

DAILY?READINGS: Ex. 2:23-3:22; Psalms 32:1-33:22; Matt. 28:1-20

My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning. Psalm 130:6

Many individuals, especially children, are afraid of the dark. A dark night, particularly in an unfamiliar place can be unsettling. Our reaction can be “If only the morning would come”! The wait can be painful. But the Psalmist says the Lord is the one I am anxious for. He is the one who will calm my fears and settle my distress. This is why one of the last things our Lord said to His disciples was “Lo, I am with you always” (Matt. 28:20). Rejoice in this blessed promise. —Ken Gross

Leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus,
Leaning on the everlasting arms. —Elisha A. Hoffman